Sunflower Producers Voting On Proposed Fee Hike

DENVER (AP) — Colorado sunflower producers are considering doubling the fee they pay on the crops they raise.

The fee helps establish and expand the market for Colorado sunflowers and maintain it is a viable crop. The proposal would raise the sunflower assessment from 3 cents per hundredweight to 6 cents per hundredweight.

The extra money would be used for research on strategies for improving yields. That could include research on managing disease and insects or improved hybrid testing strategies.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture says sunflower producers are being mailed ballots so they can vote on the proposed increase.

A simple majority of sunflower producers must approve the proposal before it takes effect.